NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63: 63. Spar (4)
Smoke curled into the air and When it cleared Instructor Garrick stood blocking Licht's strike.
Garrick may not look too affected but only eh truly knew just how bad his bdoy was right now. His arms trembled slightly, muscles strained, veins bulging. He hadn't broken his promise and hadn't gone beyond the self-imposed limit he'd agreed to.But to stop that blow, he'd needed to force his body into overdrive.
But before he could say moreA low-frequency vibration cracked the air again.
"Youve got too be kidding me.." muttered Garrick
Bright violet runes exploded beneath Licht's feet as perfect flow of Mana surged back into his core
The lone wolf's growl from before multiplied and soon became a chorus.
「Resonance Shift」
『Valtier Sword Style — Hunting Pack Execution! (A)』
Licht's body blurred and then vanished into the air and What followed was a storm of sword lights.
Dozens of slashing arcs surged from lichts sword at every angle as wolf-shaped streaks of pure mana arrived snapping at Garrick's flanks.
Some of the strikes and hwoling wolves were nothing more than phantoms,strnage tricks of energy and ligtht hat could decive the mind but at the same time far too many of these same attcks were real.
Although he sensed somwhting was off, Garrick ccouldnt and chanches and blocked the first whsilt twiwsting his bodyto sidestepped the second.
The third attack came soaring past before he could recover sliced across his thigh whilst The fourth caught his shoulder and left behind a claw like gash as it drew blood.
The pain of having his flehs torn sent jolts trhoughout Garricks mind but Even as blood trickled down his limbs, Garrick's grin still grew wider than before.
His eyes gleamed with admiration something bordering on anatuvpiation.
He had seen something that would he had rarely seen in his entire carrr as aslayer and that on the
"Two consecutive resonance shifts…" he muttered. "What a fucking monster."
"Let's see how far you can go."
His blade rose.
『Slayer Sword Style—Earthbreaker Charge!』
At the same moment, Licht's voice cut through the wind.
『Valtier Sword Style — Hunting Pack Execution! 』
Neither one stepped back.
Licht surged forward, purple sparks and wolf howls accompanying his blade as His draconic scales shimmered with an ominous silver light,
They met in the centre once again with a deafening crash as the impact of their blades sent shockwaves across the field.
Dust exploded outward in a wide ring. Licht's feet scraped deep grooves into the ground as he held his position. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't give in.
Not this time.
Garrick let out a wild and excited laugh,
"Not bad, kid, but it's not enough! Show me more!"
Their blades clashed again. Once. Twice and many, many more.
Each strike was faster andheavier than the last with every blow, the strain on Licht's body worsened. His muscles screamed as his scales trembled.
all the silver scales along his body shattered outward in a brilliant explosion. A pulse of energy, shaped like a dragon's head surged from the blade carried forth by the berserk howls of wolves,
The roar wasn't just noise. It was pressure and killing intent. It was a force meant to tear through whatever stood in its path.
And for the first time in years, Garrick's instincts screamed.
Danger.
Without hesitation, he pushed mana into a barrier.
『Edge of Aegis!』
The explosion landed a moment later.
The entire ring shook. Stone fractured. Heat and light blasted upward in a column that swallowed both fighters from view.
When the smoke began to clear, the ground was cratered and scorched. Deep claw marks were seared into the arena floor, trailing outward like the remnants of a divine strike. At the centre, standing amid cracked stone and smouldering dust, was Licht.
The dragon scales that had once coated his body were gone, vaporised by the release of stored damage, causing his shirt to be shredded. showing off his chest heaving with every breath as skin flushed red from exertion and heat.
Across from him, Garrick stood with blood spattered down one arm. Cuts laced his torso and cheek. His sword trembled in his hand—but he was still standing.
"…Heh," the instructor chuckled, wiping blood from his lip. "Sorry, little Licht. I cheated a bit just now."
He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck.
"But don't worry. We can still continue the fight."
Licht didn't respond. He didn't trust himself to speak.
He was too tired to keep talking nonsense with but that's when a faint chime echoed in his mind.
[MISSION COMPLETE]
Reward: 5,000 EP
BONUS CLEAR – No Infinite Copy Eyes Used: +10,000 EP
New Access Unlocked: PERSONAL TRAIT STORE
New traits will now be generated daily based on your reputation, achievements, and known feats.
(Legend: "Double Resonance Monster" added.)
Trait Store – Daily Rotation
New traits are generated based on your reputation, achievements, and recent legends.
Reputation Level: Bronze Rising
Known Feats:
"Double Resonance Monster"
"Rank 1 Cadet"
"Dragon Tamer (Unofficial)"
:"Known Delinquent – Cadet Beater"
Daily store log-
[C-Tier] Cadet Slayer's Aura
Rumours have already begun to circulate through the academy of your voracious need for violence and love of beating cadets.
Effect: boosts intimidation and damage against anyone ranked Cadet or younger
Side Effect: NPCs under 18 may flinch, stammer, or pretend to check their phones when you walk by. Doesn't apply to toddlers... probably.
Cost: 15,000 Enlightenment Points
[C-Tier] Shirtless Resolve
When upper-body clothing is destroyed mid-fight, you gain a temporary increase to physical defence and presence. The sight of your shirtless, slightly bruised torso inspires allies, distracts enemies
Warning: May attract unsolicited fan art, admirers, and even rival shirtless challengers.
Effect: +10% temporary defence (torso), +5% charismaSide Effect: Clothing durability may mysteriously decrease in future battles.
Cost: 20,000 EP
[D-Tier] Eyes of GreedA companion appraisal trait born from your [Infinite Copy Eyes]. Allows the user to glimpse basic attributes, combat ranking tiers, and favorability levels of nearby individuals.Values are shown in vague ranges rather than exact numbers.May cause discomfort if stared too long at high-level targets
Cost: 2000 EP
[B-Tier] Draconic Muscle Memory
Description:Your body has adapted to the rhythm of dragons—each movement etched into your flesh through repetition, pain, and willpower. Even when conscious thought fails, the body remembers.
Effect:
Increases the stability and damage output of dragon-based techniques.
Grants minor resistance to pain-induced debilitation.
Cost: 40,000 EP
[B-Tier] Iron Instinct
Description:When death brushes close, the body stops thinking and starts surviving. A honed instinct born from blood, pressure, and desperation.
Effect:
When HP drops below 20%, gain a 90% boost to reaction time and physical resistance for 6 seconds.
Triggers once per combat.
Cost: 50,000 Enlightenment Points
Weekly store log
Description:Your mastery over resonance has taken on a will of its own. With each resonance shift, your very presence echoes, and your strikes howl with lingering power.
Effect:
After every Resonance Shift, your next sword technique unleashes a phantom afterstrike at 150% damage.
The afterstrike inherits all elemental and style-based properties of the original.
Cost: 100,000 Enlightenment Points
You may purchase 1 trait per day. Store resets in 24 hours. and weekly store restes every 7 daysNew traits will become available for purchase as your infamy and legend grows...